In the fractured kingdom of Yue, Xishi is regarded as a peerless beauty. In another time her beauty might see her make a good marriage and support her family, but when she is sought out by the advisor to her defeated king she sees a larger destiny on her horizon. Thrust deep into the heart of the enemy Wu kingdom, Xishi must use all skills not only to survive but to bring justice for her people.

Kidan Adane has been living a half life since the disappearance of her sister. Ever since Kidan and her sister June were rescued as children they have lived in fear that they will be discovered by the dranaics, immortal creatures who live on the blood of humans. The dranaics power has been tempered somewhat by their bond to specific human bloodlines. Unfortunately Kidan’s family is one such bloodline. Kidan has crossed lines to try and recover her sister and has all but given up when she is summoned by the Dean of Uxlay University. The University's long relationship with the dranaics is threatened by the ambition of one Susenyos Sagad. Susenyos is bonded to house Adane and now Kidan must return and take up her birthright, or risk an imbalance that threatens her whole world.

Lauren Keegan is a psychologist and writer. Her debut novel is All the Bees in the Hollows.

Emily Maguire is the author of seven novels and has been shortlisted for the Stella, the Miles Franklin and many more awards. You’ve met her on Final Draft before and it is a pleasure to welcome her back with her new novel Rapture.

In the fractured kingdom of the Yue, Xishi is regarded as a peerless beauty. Her beauty is famous across her homeland and leads her to be sought out by the advisor to the king. The Yue have suffered terrible defeats at the hands of the Wu. This humiliation and the threat of ongoing war has lead the king to try a desperate plan. With Xishi’s help they will infiltrate the Wu king’s court, win his heart and overthrow his tyrannical rule.

Blue Mountains Writers Festival brings together incredible minds and exciting new talent set against the stunning backdrop of the Blue Mountains.

Stephen Downes is a writer and a journalist with an expansive career in news, TV and radio. His debut novel The Hands of Pianists was shortlisted for the 2022 Australian Prime Minister’s Literary Awards. He joins us today with his new work Mural.

With the death of her husband, Martye must take care of the family’s hollows. She is not alone, although her daughter Austeja has always fiercely resisted her families vocation as beekeepers. There is more loss to come though when the Hollow Watcher is found dead beneath an abandoned hollow. With suspicion turning onto the community Martye and Austeja must learn to rely on each other, and they must trust to the bees. Bees don’t sting good people.

Lauren Crozier won the 2023 Text Prize for her debut novel The Best Witch in Paris.

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki has been many things in his life from a physicist, a roadie and a taxi driver, but that’s not my story to tell, because today Dr Karl, who is the author of nearly fifty books, is joining Andrew with his latest, the book only he could write. A Periodic Tale - My Sciencey Memoir is the Dr Karl story.

Maryam Master is a screenwriter, playwright and author. Her novels Exit Through the Gift Shop and No Words were both critically acclaimed gaining listings and prizes and today Maryam joins Andrew with her new novel Laughter is the Best Ending.

When Clare wakes in a bed in the hospital where she works as an anesthetist she has only questions. When doctors inform her she was in a car accident, that it took the life of her beloved husband, she realises how much she has lost. Clare can’t remember a thing about the accident. Why were they on the deserted road? Why was Ray wearing chainmail armour? And why is a towering figure stalking Clare, leaving her threatening warnings?

I’m a reader but no expert on romance and so to help me celebrate this literary milestone I’m joined by three Mills & Boon writers Clare Connelly, Ally Blake and Melanie Milburne to talk all things romance.

Beloved science communicator Dr Karl Kruszelnicki shares with Andrew some incredible takes of how he became the storyteller and communicator he is today!

In the Free Republic of East Australia where everything is just bonza and we all toe the line because whatareya a tall poppy or something?! Julian Ferryman’s been summoned home lest he lose his spot on Bass for his band’s sophomore album. Julian’s not returning alone though; he’s seen the world and the FREA doesn’t love outsider perspectives. Julian’s also seen the future courtesy of the new designer drug ‘F’, but once you’ve seen your future, where does that leave your present?

Evie Wyld is the award winning author of five novels including the 2021 Stella Prize winning The Bass Rock.

Max Porter is the critically acclaimed author of Grief is the Thing With Feathers and Lanny.

On today's show Tim Ayliffe is in conversation with the indomitable Felix Shannon!

Get your favourite bookish costume ready it's time to celebrate Book Week 17th - 23rd August

Rachel has left Australia and is determined to find herself in the world. When London fails to offer her the adventures she is seeking, Rachel and a friend travel first to Egypt and then into Israel. Rachel still feels unsure of herself, but surely somewhere in the world she’ll discover the person she’s meant to be?

The Echoes is a novel about trauma and the ways we deal with or avoid it. As she did in The Bass Rock, Wyld reminds us that we are not alone in time but that we must look to the stories that have come before us to understand our place.

Patrick Holland is a novelist and short story writer. He is the author of seven books, most notably The Mary Smokes Boys (2010), which was longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award.